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Upcoming events

    • 24 Oct 2024
    • 12 Dec 2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 7
    Register

    Thursdays, 7 – 9 pm. Oct 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec 5, 12 (8 weeks)


    EB $235/Reg $245

    A basic beginners’ course to explore, through a series of practical assignments and in-class discussions, both your camera and photography:

    • Introduction To Your Camera—learn the basics of the most common functions on your digital camera and how to use them effectively.
    • Introduction To Photography—learn the core functions of photography and how they affect your subject and final image.

    Participants will learn the basic functions of your camera and explore the foundations of photographic theory, including exposure, colour balance, image quality control, storage of digital images, preparing shots for printing and viewing via the internet. Although this is more of a technical course, there will be opportunities to look at aspects of composition that will help improve your photography.

    Required: You must bring your own digital camera. It’s preferable to have a camera that has a means to have manual control, but not absolutely necessary. However, cell phone camera are definitely not suitable.

    Please also bring: Thumb drive, Sketchbook/Journal


    • 26 Oct 2024
    • 30 Nov 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 2
    Register

    Saturdays, 10:00 - 12:00 pm. Oct 26, Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (6 weeks).


    EB $175 / Reg $185 + $30 materials

    Want to explore Drawing with a range of media? We have it all in this special class: Pencil, Soft Pastels, Conte, Charcoal, Coloured Pencils, Pen & Ink - try your hand at everything and see what ignites your passion!

    Oct 26 - PEN & INK with Moumita Roychowdhury

    Nov 2 - WATERCOLOUR with Robert Achtemichuk (At Visitor's Centre- 10 Father David Baurer Drive) .

    Nov 9 - SOFT PASTEL with Edward Hanson

    Nov 16 - LINO-CUT with Baz Kanold

    Nov 23 - OIL PASTEL with Moumita Roychowdhury

    Nov 30 - CHARCOAL with Soroush Dabiri

    • 29 Oct 2024
    • 3 Dec 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 6
    Register

    Tuesdays, 1 - 3 pm. Oct 29, Nov 5, 12, 19, 26, Dec 3 (6 weeks)


    EB $175/Reg $185

    Please note: Students supply the materials for their course- see Supplies List below description:

    Have you ever been curious about oil paint? Learn how to paint in oil using odourless products. Explore colour theory, composition, & still life set-ups. Both landscapes and still life can be explored in this stress-free and casual course. Suitable for beginner & intermediate painters.

    Supplies list:

    • Small bottle Turpenoid (unscented Turpentine)

    • Palette Pad (9” x 12” disposable sheets)

    • Canvas (Dollar Store) – you choose your size, 2 at least

    • Paints: 37 mL size – “Winston” brand:

      • Required

        • Titanium white

        • Ultramarine blue

        • Cadmium yellow

        • Cadmium red

      • Suggested:

        • Cerulean Blue

        • Naples Yellow

        • Raw Umber

        • Burnt Sienna

        • Alizarin Crimson

    • Brushes 

    • Baby wipes, baby food jar, small rags, apron

    • 30 Oct 2024
    • 4 Dec 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 2
    Register

    Wednesdays, 1 - 3 pm. Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec 4 (6 weeks).


    Adv $175/Reg $185

    Please note: Students supply the materials for their course- see Supplies List below description:

    Learn to use transparent watercolour paints to create luminous effects. Explore layering techniques using resists and mixed media such as ink and watercolour crayons. Paint on Japanese paper (washi) and create a simple book form.  Some washi is available for purchase at Button Factory Arts.  Suitable for all levels but some basic art knowledge is suggested.

    In all lessons we will use watercolour paints.  I will bring mixed media such as watercolour crayons and ink for you to try.
    Lesson  3 You will need masking fluid/ Friskit along with watercolour paints.
    Lessons 5 & 6 you will need  Japanese paper (washi). Kozo paper $3.50/ half sheet from Button Factory.

    Watercolour Paints    Start by using brand name "academic" or "student" grade watercolours until you can commit your resources to buying "artist" grade paints. Pre-packaged sets may be more economical. Watercolour tubes are preferred but pans can be used. If you already have watercolour paints, bring them and try them out. You can always add to your supplies later.

    If you are buying individual paint colours, at a minimum buy one cool blue, one cool red and one clear yellow.
    Primary blue such as cobalt and/or ultramarine blue,
    primary red such as rose madder, permanent rose or alizaren crimson,
    primary yellow such as aureolin yellow, lemon yellow or cadmium yellow

    You may wish to add the following colours to your palette:  Raw sienna, Pthalo or  Windsor  blue,  Sap Green, Burnt Sienna or pick your favourite colours.

    Watercolour Brushes                                                                                                                                              At a minimum you will need one flat and one medium sized round watercolour brush.

    1/2”, 1” flat synthetic brushes, the longer bristled brushes are preferred
    Size 10 round brush that comes to a point. Later add  4, 8, 12 round synthetic or sable mix watercolour brush.
    Optional brushes to add later: Rigger brush, size 1 round for fine lines, fan brush, wash brush for large areas.

    Watercolour Paper
    140 pound cold pressed watercolour paper is recommended. Strathmore 300 series, Fabriano 1264 or other brands are suitable. The high rag content will tolerate scrubbing and washing. Full sheets 22"x30" can be bought and cut as required. For the lessons you will need two pieces of paper roughly 8x10 size (or 1/8 sheet) per class. I use  a steel edged ruler for cutting sheets.
    Palette
    You need something to mix your paints on. A white plastic plate will work but you will need to wash your paints off after each use. You can buy a round or rectangular palette with lid to transport and reuse your paints. Avoid coloured, paper or Styrofoam plates.

    Backboard
    A hard surface waterproof board to place your paper on when painting. A corrugated plastic core sign board slightly bigger than your paper is light weight and reasonably priced. A plain white colour is best.
    Water containers & cleanup
     2 old margarine tubs or containers to hold clean water. Tissues, paper towels or rags are needed to catch puddles, lift paint and for clean up.
    I use a medium spray water spray bottle as a tool for applying water to paper. Mine was from Dollarama.
    A sketch pad and pencil will be useful for planning your painting and taking notes.

    • 30 Oct 2024
    • 4 Dec 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Wednesdays, 7 - 9  pm. Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec 4. (6 weeks).

    EB $175/Reg $185

    Please note: Students supply the materials for their course- see Supplies List below description:

    Explore the gratifying process of watercolour in this beginner’s course. Learn to mix colours, use various brush techniques, find out about paper, and through repetition will gain confidence working with this medium. No previous experience is necessary.

    Supply List

    • Winsor Newton Cotman Sketchers Box 12 colours
    • Watercolor brushes round #12 or #10, and #6, are all you will need.  Taklon is a good synthetic. Sables are great. All brushes should bounce back to a point or their original shape. Wet them to find out. If they lie flat, not worth the trouble of purchasing.
    • A palette (not plastic), ceramic is good, a white dinner plate will work
    • Paper: pad of Strathmore Watercolour 300 series (adequate) or other 140 lb or 300gm cold press wc paper or pads made by Arches or Fabriano (better)

    For clean up and brush control, rags or sponges are best as a means to control the amount of water in your brush. With a plastic bag for carrying.

    2 Yogurt containers for water

    A fine spray mister  (sprayer)

    • 30 Oct 2024
    • 4 Dec 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 1

    Wednesdays, 7 - 9  pm. Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec 4 (6 weeks).

    Wednesdays, 7 - 9  pm. Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec 4 (6 weeks).

    Adv $175/Reg $185

    Please note: Students supply the materials for their course- see Supplies List below description:

    Learn the basic approaches to Soft Pastel Art. This thorough introduction covers the material side of Soft Pastels, related art materials and techniques. Pastel artwork is considered a drawing medium but it's versatility allows painterly effects to be developed. Drawing skill is an asset but not required. Several methods of Pastel application will be explored resulting in the completion of 3 - 4 landscape works of art.

    Materials List:

    • 1 soft Charcoal Pencil
    • 1 Kneeded Eraser
    • 1 roll of ¾ in. Plain Masking Tape
    • 1 Rigid Drawing board to tape the drawing paper on, 12 x 18"
    • Set of Dry (Soft) Pastel sticks (a minimum 24 colour variety)

    Recommended Brands: sold in sets or individual sticks: Holbein Artist Pastels, Rembrandt Soft Pastels, Diane Townsend Thinline or Soft Forms.

    If you own any artist grade dry (soft) Pastels they will be appropriate for use. Pastel Pencils are useful but a set of Pastel sticks is required.

    Please note that the Pastels in this course are NOT Oil Pastels.

    • 1 Nov 2024
    • 6 Dec 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 10
    Register

    Fridays, 7 - 9 pm. Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6 (6 weeks).


    EB $175 / Reg $185 + $30 materials

    Want to explore Drawing with a range of media? We have it all in this special class: Graphite, Soft Pastels, Conte, Charcoal, Coloured Pencils, Pen & Ink - try your hand at everything and see what ignites your passion!

    Nov 1 - GRAPHITE with Baz Kanold (Please note- this week will be at the WMRC)

    Nov 8 - SOFT PASTEL with Edward Hanson

    Nov 15 - CONTE with Baz Kanold

    Nov 22 - CHARCOAL with Soroush Dabiri

    Nov 29 - COLOURED PENCIL with Terry Torra

    Dec 6 - PEN/INK/THREAD with Soroush Dabiri (Please note- this week will be at the WMRC)

    • 4 Nov 2024
    • 16 Dec 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 7
    Register

    Mondays, 4:30 - 6:30 pm. Nov 4, 18, 25, Dec 2, 9, 16. (6 weeks)

    EB $175/Reg $185

    Please note: Students supply the materials for their course- see Supplies List below description:

    Elevate your oil painting skills to new heights in our Intermediate Level Course, where we'll delve into mastering the technique of creating texture through analyzing a source image and the layering process.

    In this immersive journey into the world of oil painting, you will explore the intricacies of analyzing source images, establishing a harmonious palette, and mastering the art of layering. Guided by an experienced instructor, you'll learn how to transform your visions into stunning works of art, infused with depth, dimension, and vibrant color.

    Throughout the course, you'll explore the transformative power of layering, discovering how to apply multiple layers of oil paint to create dynamic compositions that captivate the imagination. From subtle shifts in tone and texture to bold contrasts of light and shadow, you'll learn how to breathe life into your artwork with each carefully crafted layer.

    But mastering oil painting isn't just about technique – it's about understanding the nuances of color mixing and composition, and how to use them to convey emotion and narrative in your work. Through a series of hands-on exercises and demonstrations, you'll gain the confidence to experiment with color and form, pushing the boundaries of your creativity with each stroke of the brush.

    Whether you're a seasoned artist looking to refine your skills or a passionate learner eager to take your art to the next level, this course offers something for everyone. Join me and unlock the secrets of oil painting mastery, as you discover the joy of bringing your artistic visions to life on canvas. 

    Supply List

    Oil Paints: 37ml tubes of Winton Oil Colour: 

    • Titanium White 

    • Ivory Black 

    • Burnt Sienna 

    • Yellow Ochre 

    • Viridian Hue 

    • Permanent green light 

    • Phthalo Blue 

    • French Ultramarine 

    • Cadmium Red Deep Hue 

    • Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue 

    Paint brushes: page3image59245504

    • Flat brushes, #1, 4, 8, and 12.

    Palette Cup 

    Medium: 

    • Linseed oil 

    • Turpentine 

    Canvas or Painting Surface: 

    • Stretched Canvas, 11” x 14” 

    • Canva-Paper; an economical alternative to canvas 

    Rags or Paper Towels: These are essential for wiping brushes, cleaning up spills, and creating texture in the paint. 

    Palette Sealable Container: Useful for storing and preserving leftover paint for future use.

    Brush Cleaner: A gentle brush cleaner is needed for cleaning brushes after painting.

    Sketching Materials: Pencils, charcoal, or other sketching materials are useful for planning and sketching out the composition before applying paint.

    • 7 Nov 2024
    • 12 Dec 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 9
    Register

    Thursdays, 1 - 3 pm. Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec 5, 12 (6 weeks).


    EB $175/Reg $185

    Please note: Students supply the materials for their course- see Supplies List below description:

    Participants will learn the basics of working with acrylics: the nature of acrylic paint and the techniques and methods of how to use it; basic colour theory and colour mixing; pictorial composition, proper grounds and supports and more.   

      In addition to exercises in colour theory and mixing, students will complete two paintings: the first will be instructor led, developing concepts of colour theory and paint application in a geometic composition, and the second will be individual subjects selected by participants.

    Supplies list:

    Most art supplies come in a range of qualities. It is recommended that you buy the best materials that your budget allows, professional quality is ideal but not necessary.

    • Paint: Acrylic tubes  - 75 to 100 ml. 
    • Warm colours: cadmium yellow, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, thalo green, orange, dioxazine violet/purple, burnt umber, sap green,  titanium white.
    • Cool colours: (optional but useful) alizarine red, thalo blue, and lemon yellow and mars black.
    • Brushes: synthetic bristles (for acrylics) - #1 round,  #2 filbert,  # 6 or 8 flat.   Two of each brush would be preferable but not necessary.
    • Other:  matte medium for acrylics, HB pencil,  eraser,  9x12 in. (approiximate) pallete paper pad and either of  three - 9 x 12 inch (or there about) stretched canvases(preferred), canvas boards or pad of canvas papers.
    • 7 Nov 2024
    • 12 Dec 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Studio Space (1st floor)
    • 10
    Register

    Thursdays, 7-9 pm. Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec 5, 12 (6 weeks).


    EB $175/Reg $185

    Please note: Students supply the materials for their course- see Supplies List below description:

    Crochet is one of the simplest of the fibre arts, and yet perhaps the most versatile. Whether you used to crochet years ago and need a refresher, or are just learning, this is the class for you!

    In the first few classes you will learn/review how to hold a hook, to read a pattern and crochet some basic stitches. We will then try and practice different stitches. Next we will progress to make a cushion cover with the stitch of your choice using an easy written pattern for beginners. You will finish with a lovely handmade item to keep or give away as a gift.

    Supplies list: 

    • Some materials for sampling will be supplied 

    • Yarn and crochet hook, for individual project, in consultation with the instructor

    • 19 Nov 2024
    • 17 Dec 2024
    • 5 sessions
    • Studio Space (First Floor)
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Tuesdays, 7 - 9 pm. Nov 19, 26, Dec 3, 10, 17


    Adv $150/Reg $160 + $30 materials fee

    Over this five week course students will learn the basic techniques of two dimensional needle felting and wet felting with wool by creating two projects—a wet felted nature landscape and an urban needle felted scene.  The instructors will provide the tools for students to interpret provided reference photos as wool felted scenes in a step by step instructional process.  As well, students will learn how to enhance their work with stitch, bead and textile accents.  This introduction to felting is suitable for all levels of artistic experience.  No prior experience in any medium is required, though experienced artists and artisans will be able to bring their specific skill set and experience to the projects as well.  

LOCATION: 

25 Regina Street South

Waterloo ON N2L1R8


SUMMER HOURS:

Monday to Friday 9 to 5

Saturday 10 to 5

Closed Sunday

CONTACT US:

519-886-4577

Membership and rentals:

operations@buttonfactoryarts.ca


Program inquiries:

programs@buttonfactoryarts.ca


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